AMCAT was established by Nell Pyle OAM in 2005, with the support of the
community of Maitland. The museum collection is formed around Nell Pyle’s
personal collection which developed over 60 years from both a family and a
theatrical collection.
For many years Nell Pyle was wardrobe mistress of the Maitland Repertory
Theatre, a role which developed her interest in, and collecting of costume
and textiles from the Hunter region. In addition to working for the theatre,
Nell was well known for her period fashion parades which stimulated
community interest in the collection and in the history of textiles and clothing.
In 2005 Nell Pyle was awarded an OAM for her significant contribution to the
recording and preservation of social history through period fashion displays,
theatre and writing.
The museum was incorporated on the 21/03/2005.